“Do you think they found anything?”
“I doubt it, but they meant business. Unless she fades into the shadows like a damn ghost, she’ll be lucky to make it past the city limits.”
Damn it! Travis’s warning wasn’t helping MacGyver’s focus. Dread floated to the top of his stomach like scum on a swamp until he couldn’t breathe. It took everything he had to keep it all inside. “She made her choice. What do we do next to locate the Dahl kid?”
Travis studied him for a few beats too long, a frown redefining the lines on his forehead. Then he shrugged and slurped from his coffee cup. “I scheduled a meeting with Burnett this morning to go over everything he’s got. After that we’ll do a little old-fashioned sleuthing.”
Halfway through his last sentence, Travis’s attention shifted to something outside the window and over MacGyver’s left shoulder. Travis’s tension, the nod of his chin in the direction he was looking and the squeal of tires on pavement all hit MacGyver at the same time, and he swung around. The windows gave him an unobstructed view of the covered main entrance of the hotel, where a black limo braked hard, bouncing one wheel onto the curb. A pair of dark sedans raced up behind the limo and screeched to a halt. Two men jumped from each vehicle and fanned out. One of them flung the limo’s rear door open, and a dark-haired man stepped out. He was impeccably dressed in a fancy suit and overcoat. His face was all too familiar to MacGyver, having seen his picture in the paper only last night.
Palazzi said something to his men before he strutted across the sidewalk toward the lobby. A yellow cab joined the line of vehicles. The driver got out, opened the trunk and leaned against the rear panel, obviously awaiting his fare.
“Oh hell. Looks like our girl is about to regret her decision.” Travis’s apprehensive voice formed a knot in MacGyver’s chest.
It had to be a coincidence that Palazzi was here. How the hell would he know where to find her?
A moment later, the lobby door swung outward. Dressed in form-fitting jeans, rolled at the ankles, practical sandals and a sleeveless, blue cotton shirt, unbuttoned enough to show the top edge of a lacey camisole and a bit of cleavage, Kellie brushed past the doorman, wheeling her small suitcase. Her blonde hair was loosed from the braid that had held it yesterday and fell in soft curls to the middle of her back. The gracious smile she’d bestowed on the doorman quickly faded as she came face-to-face with her former fiancé.
She said something as she took a step back. Palazzi moved closer and grabbed her wrist, jerking her off balance.
MacGyver was on his feet before he was fully aware he’d made the decision. “Call the cops!” He threw the command over his shoulder as he sprinted through the restaurant and out the lobby doors.
Palazzi’s dark gaze raked over Kellie as a mocking sneer curled his lip. She resisted and planted her feet, making it harder for him to drag her toward the waiting limo. Steadily losing ground, she drew back her fist and clobbered him below the belt.
That’s my girl.
Palazzi bent slightly at the waist as all the blood drained from his face. With a roar, he fisted his free hand and swung at her jaw. Kellie easily blocked the punch, but Palazzi was furious, swearing and yanking her toward the open door of his vehicle. She was no match for his strength or his size.
MacGyver didn’t slow down, shouldering into the man mid-chest. As Palazzi stumbled backward, Kellie jerked her arm free. MacGyver stepped into him again and shoved with both hands, sending him back another two feet.
His henchmen started forward but hesitated as sirens wailed a couple blocks away. MacGyver sensed Travis’s presence at his side.
Palazzi bellowed and tried to push him away, but MacGyver gripped his arm, holding him immobile while they faced off.
Growling as he lost the battle to contain his anger, MacGyver said the first thing that flashed through his mind. “Hands. Off. My. Wife.”
* * * *
Wait. What did he say? Didn’t MacGyver know Tony would kill for less than that?
The sneer slid from Tony’s face. His eyes darkened even more as his scathing disbelief fixed on MacGyver with a scowl. Kellie should say something—set the record straight—but words failed her as she stared in shock.
“Yourwife?Who the hell areyou? This woman is engaged tome.” Tony yanked on his arm, and MacGyver released his hold at the same time. Tony lost his balance and swayed but caught himself and stayed on his feet.
Forcing her shoulders back, Kellie stood tall, determined not to show how much he intimidated her. She’d never seen Tony so furious, but it was MacGyver’s anger and the possessiveness he’d exuded as he announced her as his wife that had stopped the words on her tongue.
Tony halted well within MacGyver’s personal space before flicking his hate-filled glare toward her again. MacGyver towered over him, so what she assumed was Tony’s attempt at bullying was almost laughable. She didn’t feel much like laughing, however.
“Don’t even think about it.” MacGyver stepped in front of Tony, blocking his path so he couldn’t reach her.
Suddenly, she was overcome with gratitude that MacGyver was there.
Two police cars pulled to the curb, cutting their sirens.
Tony ignored them, continuing to glower at her. “I’ve been worried, sweetheart. I didn’t know where you went. Are you all right?” If his clipped speech pattern and rage-filled expression were any indication, he didn’t give a damn.
The flashing lights from the police cars cast their reflections in windows on every side. An officer appeared from each vehicle and approached.
Tony didn’t spare them a glance. “I’m sure you’ve had quite a scare. I’ll take you home so you can rest.”